The four TIMES NEWS area teams in the Anthracite Football League experienced a wide-range of results during the 2012 season, which was obvious just by looking at the final standings.

Tamaqua is coming off a record-setting 10-1 season, including eight wins in the AFL and a league championship. But coach Sam Bonner's club, despite a good nucleus of returning players from the 2012 team, will have to outlast preseason favorites Schuylkill Haven and North Schuylkill.Marian Catholic, which lost several members of last season's District 11 Class A playoff team, lost a chance at grabbing a share of last season's Anthracite Football League title with a Week 10 loss to Tamaqua. The Colts, 8-3 last year, will look to finish strong in 2013 under longtime coach Stan Dakosty.Panther Valley showed signs of progress under Lon Hazlet in 2012 in fighting to a 3-7 record. The Panthers will rely on Kyle Ferryman, who is making the switch from wide receiver to quarterback, to carry the offense this year.Jim Thorpe will need a new signal caller this season, as the Olympians move on from Pat Duvigneaud, a PIAA Class AA All-State selection in 2012. Duplicating Duvigneaud's eye-popping numbers on the ground and in the air will be nearly impossible. Senior Ryan Saunders is moving from wide receiver to quarterback and will hope to lead an Olympians squad looking to improve on a 1-9 season.JIM THORPEHead Coach - Mark RosenbergerPractice Schedules - 7:15-9:50 a.m.; 12:15-2:45 p.m.Turnout - Varsity (grades 9-12) 42Scrimmages - Saturday, August 17 at Kutztown 10 a.m.; Thursday, August 22 at Palmerton 7 p.m.MARIANHead Coach - Stan DakostyPractice Schedules - 8:35-11:15 a.m.; 1:00-3:15 p.m.Turnout - Varsity (grades 9-12) 41Scrimmages - Saturday, August 17 at Northern Lehigh 10 a.m.; Thursday, August 22 vs. Kutztown and Catasauqua 5:30 p.m.PANTHER VALLEYHead Coach - Lon HazletPractice Schedules - 9:00-11:30 a.m.; 2:30-5:00 p.m. (Mon., Wed. and Fri.); 2:00-4:30 p.m.; 6:00-8:15 p.m. (Tues. and Thurs.)Turnout - Varsity (grades 9-12) 38Scrimmages - Saturday, August 17 vs. Palmerton 10 a.m.; Friday, August 23 at Salisbury 6 p.m.TAMAQUAHead Coach - Sam BonnerPractice Schedules - 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Mon.-Wed.); 11:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. (Thurs.); 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (Fri.)Turnout - Varsity (grades 9-12) 57Scrimmages - Saturday, August 17 vs. Hambrug 10 a.m.; Thursday, August 22 at Northwestern Lehigh 6 p.m.